Chris Hipkins: Prime Minister says it's not his job to decide how authorities should to deal with rising gang tension in Opotiki

Published: June 12, 2023, 8:09 p.m.

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Chris Hipkins says it\'s not his job, to decide how authorities should be dealing with rising gang tension in \\u014cp\\u014dtiki.

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Gang members have descended on the eastern Bay of Plenty town following the death of Mongrel Mob Barbarians President Steven Rota Taiatini last Friday.

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Schools have closed and bus services have been cancelled due to safety concerns, and two suspicious house fires have been reported.

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The Prime Minister told Mike Hosking he supports Police to deal with it as they see fit.

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He says the situation in \\u014cp\\u014dtiki is utterly unacceptable, but Police need the backing to do their job independently of politicians.

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